Switch



Oct. 14, 1930. J. B. PATACHON SWITCH Filed July 16, 1928 my 5 m I m F z ,P a v 6 m 1 Lb. .w J & 5 V 6 w O 0 o. 1 l M Vll h WN O 9 h 9 l 1 I IO I. 2H1 2 I] @m u 5 Z BY movrvrv A TTORNE YS.

Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES JOHN B. PATACHON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA SWITCH Application filed July 16,

My invention relates to improvements in switches, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a switch which is designed especially for automobiles and which is to be used for indicating right and left-hand turns. The switch is preferably placed where the driver can reach it, and the handle of the switch can be moved to the left for indicating a left turn and to the right for indicating the right turn. The handle is locked in either of these two positions until a releasing trig ger is pressed. A spring returns the handle back to neutral position when the handle is released.

A further object of my invention is to provide a. device of the type described which 20 is extremely simple in construction and which is durable and eflicient for the purposes intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel 23 features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this apglication, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device with the cover removed;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the device;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the device; and

Figure ais a wiring diagram.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a base 1 made of insulating material. This base has the shape shown in Figure 1 and it is provided with a groove 2 around its marginal edges for receiving a cover 3 (see Figure A raised portion A of the base 1 carries conductor plates 5 and 6, and '7 and 8.

A shaft 9 is carried by the base 1 and supports an arm 10 that in turn carries a conductor ring 11. The ring is insulated from the arm 10 by an insulating piece 12.

The conductor 11 swings between the plates 5, G and 7, 8. The plates 5 and 6 are aligned with each other and lie on a radial 1928. Serial No. 293,286.

line passing through the axis of the shaft 9. The plates '7 and 8 are likewise mounted. The ring 11, when swung to the left, electrically connects the plates 5 and 6 together, and when swung to the right, connects the plates 7 and 8 together.

The means for swinging the ring 11 is shown in Figures 2 and 3 and comprises a handle 13 connected to the shaft 9 and :arrying a button 14. A swinging of the button will swing the ring 11.

I use a spring 15 for returning the handle 13 back to neutral position. The spring passes through an eyelet 16 carried by the handle 13, and has its other end secured to supports 17 and 18 (see Figure 3). The handle 13 when swung flexes the spring 15, and when the handle is released, the spring will return it to normal position.

I also provide means for holding the handle in either of its two extreme positions. A sector 19 (see Figure 1) is carried by the shaft 9 and has notches 20 and 21 therein for receiving a trigger 22 (see Figure For example, when the button 14 is moved to the left, the notch 20 will be swung into alignment with the trigger 22. A spring will urge the trigger into the notch and prevent the spring 15 from moving the ring 11 out of contact with the plates 5 and 6. The same is true when the ring 11 contacts with the plates '7 and 8, but in this instance, the trigger 22 is received in the notch 21.

A spring 23 (see Figure urges the trigger 22 into either of the notches. The trigger carries a push button 2 1, which may be depressed for freeing the trigger from the notches. The cover 3 is slotted at 25 for permitting this movement.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

The base 1 has a laterally-extending projection 26 that bears against the steering column 27. A clamping device 28 is used for securing the base to the column. The device is now ready for use.

In Figure 4 I show a wiring diagram. The plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 are electrically connected to a storage battery 29 and with frontindicating lights 30, 31 and rear-indicating lights 32, 33. All of the lights are in electrical connection with an indicating light 34. It will be seen from this wiring diagram that a movement of the button let in a counterclockwise direction will illuminate the lights 30, 32 and 34, while a swinging to the right will illuminate the lights 31, 33 and 34:. As already stated, the ring 11 will remain in either of its two extreme positions until the push button 24 is depressed. 1

Although I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of various changes, and I reserve the right to employ such changes as may come Within. the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. A'switch comprising a base, contacts carried thereby, a conductor having a spring arm and being movable therebetween, man- 'ually controlled means for moving said conductor a ainst the contacts s rin means 1 b a y a placed under tension by the movement of said conductor, means for holding said conductor in either of its extreme positions, said lastnamed meanswhen released permitting said spring means to move said conductor into neutral position.

2. A switch comprlsing a base, two sets of contacts, a spring arm havmg'a conductor head adapted to engage with said contacts, a manually movable arm for swinging said spring arm and being connected to the latter at its point of pivot, a leaf spring'placed under tension when said arms are moved, a

notched member carried by said spring arm, and a trigger automatically engageable with the notches for holding said arms in operative positions, said trigger being manually movable for releasing said arms, whereby said leaf spring will return them to normal position. 7

JOHN PATAOHON. 

